Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

[http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/user/rdl Ruan] started organizing this trip some weeks ago, and finally it was on. I [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/atlantis-sand-dunes#comment-1031 was a bit scared] - the contingent of riders who signed up for this were Ruan (himself a big hitter on a bike, having come second in the skills challenge at Nelsons Creek), [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/user/freakonaleash Marius FreakOnALease Burger], [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/user/flipper Gavin flipper Collins], [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/user/bobdev Bob bobdev de Villiers], Andreas and poor [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/user/charles Charles my fairly novice owner]. When we arrived at the meeting point my worst fears were confirmed - all the riders were on X-Challenges, and most of them looked fairly beat up too. Charles got very quiet and made himself busy removing my indicators and stripping me down. I even got the shivers. Freak arrived last, with a pillion! And what a pillion she was - Marie - a nurse. I took to her immediately and I wouldn't be surprised if Charles did too. First stop is the parking area at the Atlantis Dunes. We let down tyres - Ruan did my rear wheel and estimated the pressure with his hand. Charles measured it at '''0.35 bar''' (''In thick sand like the dunes this is appropriate - but on sandy dirt roads, a sharp brake at this pressure will shear off the valve''). Assume the position The front wheel came down to '''1 bar''', but judging by the way the others rode (lots of wheelies) the front pressure is not important. The first bit out of the parking area to the start of the dunes proper is also the most tricky - it is fairly narrow and well-worn. Charles was still a bit rusty on sand and leaned way back and took me all over the show, from the bushes on one side to the other. I wished Ruan was riding me - he has such skill... The Dunes Proper: After heavy rains the night before, the dunes were virginal and the sand was firm. Ruan's dad, Corrie, was driving the backup vehicle, kindly provided by Bob. The plan was for the bikes to ride ahead on a grand tour of the dunes, with the bakkie following. After the introduction to the dunes, the bakkie would park on a hill and we would 'play' in the vicinity. Now we play: That's me posing with flipper and Andreas, at the start of the dunes With Ruan leading the charge over the dunes, and freak right behind, Charles hung well back to look and learn. He soon got the hang of it - even doing some really steep, really long hill climbs without a problem. He soon learned to take off aggressively, spinning my back wheel and skidding over the sand. Endless Space At first Charles took conservative lines and let me take him wherever I wanted. Eventually, though, he had to learn to take charge. Like the one hill-climb on a narrow track where he ended up brushing against the bush. Or the other time he raced over a rise to discover a steep hole and had to take evasive action. Playtime The bakkie parked at the crest of a dune and we rested, rode, rested and rode. I heard Charles telling his son later that it was like surfing enormous waves - you race along a face of sand in wide arcs, carving a design. Marie, Andreas and Darth Vader: (I think it's Bob) Charles got bolder and bolder - and at one point followed the '''boyz''' around a short circuit with a jump. After about the fifth try, we ''got air'' and a cheer from the others. Then, the old man got a bit tired and dropped me in a soft spot. He started becoming more cautious and less confident, and his riding suffered. Flat out At the crest of yet another dune, we met Chris Boltman and John Carr, who suggested we do the Enduro track that circles the dunes area. Marius had to take Marie home, so the bakkie went to the gate to see them off, and the others rode to the start of the track. Charles drove me full tilt into a steep and very soft rise, so I chucked him off and pinned his leg so that he couldn't get up. It was clear to me he was too tired to do the enduro track with the manne, so I was not going to let him go. He was unable to lift me off his leg, and tried to hoot for help. He is such a dolt - he was pressing the starter button and wondering why I wouldn't hoot. Thank heavens I have the brains not to start if I am in gear. Then he waved and eventually Andreas saw him and came over to help. Now that Andreas chap is really nice - he helped poor Charles out a few times during that day. Anyway, mission accomplished, Charles was too tired and shaken to do the Enduro and quit while he was still ahead (and I was still intact). When he got home he was so cramped up he could not untangle his fingers enough to take off his gloves. But, we had a wonderful time and I will take Charles there again. We have wonderful memories and Charles has learned quite a few new things. Brenda Buttercup carves a line 'til next time, toodeloo from Brenda Buttercup